A New Devotion - Consequences

 Here's a new devotion that I wrote. You can find a recording of this devotion at the bottom of the page.

Luke 9:18-27

Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" They answered, "John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "The Messiah of God."

He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, "The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised."

Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."

Consequences

In a few weeks, Americans will be selecting a president, but that’s 19 days away. Right now, both President Trump and Vice President Biden are trying to make the case for why we should vote for them. Sadly, I think there have been far too many attacks, at least when compared to any positive reasons to support either one. Of course, in spite of this, there have still been promises made, each of which, if implemented, will have certain consequences. For example, earlier today, I heard that the President wants to cut the corporate tax rate to 20%. Now it’s important to note that the rate was cut from 35% to 21% in 2017. And so what are the consequences of additional 1%? Well, on one hand, the President hopes that this cut will spur businesses to expand and reduce unemployment. On the other hand, right now, the national debt is almost $27 trillion dollars, and another cut in tax revenue will only increase that number. You see, statements carry consequences.

And that certainly includes statements of faith. There are consequences to saying that Jesus Christ is Lord. And that’s something that’s pretty clear in the passage we read. You see, I don’t think it’s an accident that right after Peter makes his declaration, Jesus immediate starts talking about his own suffering but also the consequences of making that kind of confession: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.” In other words, anyone who expects their lives to get easier after recognizing that Jesus is Lord just hasn’t read the book. You see, on one hand, life will become more challenging for those who live the faith they claim. But on the other hand, those same folks who willingly sacrifice so much, they’ll have the knowledge that when the Son of Man returns, they’ll hear their Lord say, “Welcome, good and faithful servant.” And even though the downside is self-denial and service, that’s one consequence that gives me a lot of hope and peace.